Spite Hill Fishing Access Site

Decided to check this out as a boondocking location based on the only prior review. But it has a sign that explicitly states camping is only allowed in the designated spot and the price for non-Montana-fishermen is $18. The view might be worth it for some, but the road noise, though not as awful as you might think based on it being about 200 feet from the freeway, was bad enough that we won't stay again. We were just able to get our 35 ft travel trailer turned around in the empty parking lot. There is a picnic table and fire ring and a pit toilet nearby. The parking lot filled up early on a Monday morning with trailers as it seems a popular place to put in for river rafting. It is a very picturesque spot with lots of wildlife and birds.

I stumbled upon this site last week when I decided to get off the interstate and explore Old US 91 through the Missouri River Canyon in Montana between Great Falls and Helena. It's just a 10 minute drive south of Tower Rock State Park. The hill and cliff across the river (maybe that's Spite Hill?) is striking!

A few days later a friend and I decided to go up to Glacier National Park for a couple days. She only had about 60 hours off work, so we needed to hit the road from Bozeman as soon as she got off work at 9pm. We weren't entirely sure where we'd stop to rest that first night, but as we drove I remembered this spot. I looked it up online and found that free camping was allowed for up to 14 nights! We arrived well past midnight, but since we were in a hard shell there was nothing to setup. We enjoyed the stars and the sound of the occasional jumping fish for a bit before turning in to bed.

In the morning we just couldn't get over how beautiful the place was. We set out a picnic blanket, made some breakfast, watched the fishermen in their boats out on the river, my friend played her flute, and we just relaxed and enjoyed a lazy outdoor morning. We loved this place so much that we didn't end up making it to Glacier until late afternoon!

There was some trash on the bank, and the interstate was definitely within earshot, but neither detracted much from the experience. We did not use the restroom facilities, so I can't speak to their condition.

Highly recommend!